Identification of human remains is essential to the forensic pathology process for both criminal and civil reasons as well as ethical considerations (Cattaneo et al. 2009). Forensic identification is undertaken when human remains can not be identified by a close relative or friend during a viewing. It is important to perform a variety of investigations on unidentified human remains as the forensic scientist does not know in advance which method will lead to identification (Cattaneo et al. 2010).
Identification of non-skeletonised remains involves determining height, weight, eye colour, hair colour structure and distribution, skin pigmentation, facial appearance, fingerprints, tattoos, scars, skin blemishes, pierced body parts, circumcision, amputated limbs or digits, dentition and/or DNA profiling (Jackson & Jackson 2011).
Identification within anthropology details the class characteristics of height, sex, age and race and the individualising features of dentition, anatomical structure (through photosuperimposition and facial reconstruction), bone injury, bone disease, surgical implants and material suitable for DNA analysis (Jackson & Jackson 2011). Watch a video on photosuperimposition titled Identifying dead U.S. troops.
Identification can happen through multiple processes but this section will focus on identification through DNA analysis.
This is a scientific wiki; if you’re interested in more scientific information please see the following pages.
Identification of human remains is essential to the forensic pathology process for both criminal and civil reasons as well as ethical considerations (Cattaneo et al. 2009). Forensic identification is undertaken when human remains can not be identified by a close relative or friend during a viewing. It is important to perform a variety of investigations on unidentified human remains as the forensic scientist does not know in advance which method will lead to identification (Cattaneo et al. 2010).
Identification of non-skeletonised remains involves determining height, weight, eye colour, hair colour structure and distribution, skin pigmentation, facial appearance, fingerprints, tattoos, scars, skin blemishes, pierced body parts, circumcision, amputated limbs or digits, dentition and/or DNA profiling (Jackson & Jackson 2011).
Identification within anthropology details the class characteristics of height, sex, age and race and the individualising features of dentition, anatomical structure (through photosuperimposition and facial reconstruction), bone injury, bone disease, surgical implants and material suitable for DNA analysis (Jackson & Jackson 2011).
Watch a video on photosuperimposition titled Identifying dead U.S. troops.
Identification can happen through multiple processes but this section will focus on identification through DNA analysis.
This is a scientific wiki; if you’re interested in more scientific information please see the following pages.
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